Hydraulic engine



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

AUGUSTIN MILLER. OF GRAFTON, VIRGINIA.

HYDRAULIC ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 14,922, dated May 20, 1856.

To all 10h-0m t may concern Be it known that I, AUGUSTIN MILLER, of Grafton, in the county of Taylor and State of Virginia, have invented certain Improvements in Hydraulic Engines; and I hereby declare the following to be a true and exact description thereof, reference being had to the drawings herewith presented, which drawings constitute a part of said description.

The principle of my invention consists in applying certain devices for the purpose of graduating the force of the engine by regulating the quantity of water that shall be drawn into the chamber at each stroke, according to the resistance to be overcome at each revolution of the crank.

The usual form and arrangement of the hydraulic engine requires a certain quantity of water to be drawn into the chamber at each revolution and if any cutoff motion is used and the steam be cut off say at half stroke then the piston by reason of a vacu- `um formed behind it has to move against the resistance of atmosphere equal to the pressure of a column of water of thirty feet or more during the remainder of the stroke: This is a great waste of the power of the water expended. By my invention this resistance of atmospheric pressure is completely avoided and the pressure is neutralized.

In the drawing, Figure l is an isometrical view of so much of the machine as is requisite to show the form and application of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the chamber and pistons. Fig. 4 shows the tumbler (T,) and its connecting rod (R,) its spring (S) and its lifter (K.)

Similar letters refer to the same parts in each section.

(A A,) is the trunk or working chambers.

(V,) is the valve which operates in a similar manner to a four way cock.

(P and P) are the pistons.

(I) is the p-iston rod connecting the two pistons, and extending through the valve also connects to the crosshead To enable others to construct and use my invention I proceed to describe the device and the manner of working the same.

The forebay or flume (B,) must be of a height according to the head and fall of water to be used. The valve (V,) as seen in Fig. 2, leaning to the left admits the water to How from the fiume into the right hand chamber pressing against the piston forcing it to the right and when a sufficient quantity of water is admitted to give the desired force then the rod (R,) which is attached to the cross-head (H,) moves the tumbler past the center or line of traction of the spring (S,) the tumbler (T) is instantly drawn down by the spring and shifts the valve to the opposite side ready to admit the water to the opposite chamber and at the same time allow the water to escape from the first chamber. Now in regulating the force it becomes necessary to close the induction valve before the piston has arrived at the end of the chamber and the piston still advancing by the revolution of the crank would form a vacuum behind it, and to avoid this each chamber is furnished with a relief pipe or conductor (O, 0,) leading up a little above the top of the water in the flume or penstock for the purpose of admitting the air freely'to enter the chamber and neutralize the pressure of the atmosphere which would otherwise stop the piston.

The tumblerl (T,) is a short lever fitted loosely on the shaft of the valve, and having two projecting cheeks (e and e), raised on its face which coming in contact with a button or arm (06,) made fast to the shaft turns the valve with it.

It may be observed that the distance between the cheeks (e and e) is sufficient to allow the lever to pass the line of tension of the spring before it touches the button to begin to move the valve and hence the spring requires ample force to shift the valve instantly. The rod (R) is made with a long slot and the upper end of the lever (T) projects up through it, and when the rod is raised near to the top of the lever where the lever is narrow it requires nearly the whole length of the stroke to bring the lever (T) up so as to pass the line of traction of the spring (S,) so that the spring shall bring it over and shift the valve, but when the rod is lower where the lever is broad it will bring the lever vertical at an earlier part of the stroke and consequently shift the valve, and cut off the stream at earlier time in each stroke. This rod can be easily adjusted by the attendant by turning the cam or spiral wedge (IQ), or if frescribed, Jfor the purpose of cutting off the stroke at any desired stage without being compelled to waste the power by working 15 the piston against atmospheric pressure as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereto subscribeI in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTIN MILLER Witnesses D. SMITH, A. ARNOLD. 

